The educational and career paths for three high-achieving Bermudian students are lifting off thanks to the support of their families and KPMG in Bermuda.
Scholarships awarded by the professional services firm support students pursuing degrees in fields related to accounting and insurance, with a specific interest in financial services.
William Spriggs won the KPMG Scholarship, valued at $30,000 annually.
Kijali Jean-Marie was awarded the Captive Scholarship, valued at up to $30,000 annually.
Camaje Easton-Smith won the Artex Scholarship, valued at $15,000 annually for up to three years.
Scholars join KPMG’s Lift Off Program, which offers mentoring, summer internships and support toward professional qualifications. They participate in the organisation’s Global Advantage Program, a four-day leadership event at one of its global offices.
Mr Spriggs, 18, is a freshman at Hampton University in Virginia, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
He said: “I’ve always been pretty good at math, and I’ve always liked working with numbers and working with people.
“My father, William, was in accounting for a while, so that influenced me as well. He has been a real inspiration in my life, keeping me tight to my moral compass, never straying from the right path, and instilling values in me that I feel like will take me very far in life.”
Mr Spriggs, who thanked his mother, Desiree, sister, Marli, and other family members, for believing in him, added: “This scholarship is more than just financial aid; it really proves to me that my hard work and my dedication to my studies and my extracurriculars have actually paid off and kind of given back to me.”
He is most looking forward to the GAP programme.
Mr Jean-Marie, 19, is in a second year at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a concentration in finance.
He said: “I want to do work that’s engaging and meaningful but also contributes to Bermuda as a whole. Through my internships and my school, I’ve found an interest in the insurance and finance industry. I’m excited to just feel out where I want to be in that diagram.
“I have mentors through the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies and through other avenues, but my most important mentors have been my mother, Ashanti Caesar, and my grandmother, Marie-jo Caesar. They’ve had the opportunity to flourish within the industry in Bermuda, so learning from them has been really invaluable for me. My mom was at Athene and my grandma worked at CG Colonial.”
Mr Jean-Marie added: “The scholarship means a lot. It concretes the hard work I’ve done so far and encourages me to make the most of my opportunities going forward. I’m really excited.
“I’m most looking forward to the internship. The best way to develop as a young professional is to be getting practical and technical experience. Next summer, I am most excited about getting into the business and learning as much as I can.”
Mr Easton-Smith, 22, is a senior at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Management degree with a concentration in finance and accounting.
He said: “I grew up wanting to be a footballer, but I knew I needed a plan B. Having conversations with mentors and trusted advisors, they have put me on the route to become a CPA. They say CPAs make good CEOs, so one day that could be me.”
Mr Easton-Smith, who said he is most looking forward to the internship and being a part of the group, added: “The scholarship is not only a means of financial support and lifting a burden off of my parents, but it shows that there are people who see potential in me and believe in what it is I’m capable of achieving. It means a lot to have that support and people uplifting me and helping me achieve the goals that I set out for myself.
“I’m extremely grateful to my mom, Alicia Easton, and my dad, Colin Smith Jr and everybody who supported me on my journey.”
Felicia Wilsen, partner and chairwoman of the Lift Off Program, said: “KPMG is pleased to continue investing in Bermuda’s next generation of business leaders through our Lift Off Program offerings and the many opportunities it provides, a cornerstone of which are our multiple scholarship awards.
“We are proud of this year’s recipients, William, Camaje and Kijali, and look forward to working with them, supporting them, and being part of their educational and professional journeys in the years ahead.”
